Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese vs Wagashi Cheese
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is a hard, dry and grainy cow-milk cheese, while Wagashi Cheese is compact and made from cow milk.
What Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio is a long-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, the hard granular cow's milk cheese of Parma and Reggio Emilia. It is dry and grainy, with the sharp, salty, savory taste that makes it a grating cheese.
What Is Wagashi Cheese?
Wagashi is a soft cow's milk cheese from northern Benin, sold in quantity in Parakou and across the West African savanna. It is mild in flavor and almost always cooked, usually in a sauce eaten with pounded yams or millet or maize pâte.
What's the Difference Between Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese and Wagashi Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw), Wagashi Cheese (Heated)
- Texture: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy), Wagashi Cheese (Compact)
- Taste: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory), Wagashi Cheese (mild)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | Wagashi Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Origin | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy | Sahel Region |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Heated |
| Texture | Hard, dry and grainy | Compact |
| Rind | — | Red wax coating |
| Aging | — | Fresh or dried |
| Taste | Sharp, salty and savory | Mild |
Taste Comparison: Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese Taste Like Wagashi Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Wagashi Cheese brings mild character. More specifically, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese shows strong umami from a high glutamate content, while Wagashi Cheese leans toward consumed fried or cooked in sauces, rarely fresh.
Can You Substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Wagashi Cheese?
In most recipes, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese and Wagashi Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard, dry and grainy bite and body where the recipe calls for compact. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory while Wagashi Cheese brings mild notes.
Which Is Better, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Wagashi Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard, dry and grainy cheese, go with Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese. For a compact profile, Wagashi Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, salty and savory notes, while Wagashi Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese the same as Wagashi Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese similar to Wagashi Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Wagashi Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese taste like Wagashi Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Wagashi Cheese is mild.
What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.
What is Wagashi Cheese made of?
Wagashi Cheese is made from cow milk (heated), using calotropis procera latex rennet. It's typically aged fresh or dried.
Which should I choose, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Wagashi Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy, while Wagashi Cheese is compact.